Loose-leaf book or binder



Patented Dec. 4, 1923.

UNITED s'rATas PATENT `olrica.l'j'

WAL'IBR BBGINALD IIoR-sFIBLD, or BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, AssIGNoR v'ro MOR.

LAND a IMPEr LIMITED, or BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

Loosn-LEAB BooK on BINDER.

Application led May 11, V1922. Serial No. 560,236. i

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, VALTER REGINALD HoRsFInLD, a British subject, residing at ll Veoley Hill, Selly Oak, in the city of Birmingham, England, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements Relatingrto Loose-Leaf Books or Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates -to loose leaf books or binders of the type'in which lieXible thongs passing through apertures in the rear edges of the leaves, are employed forvsecuring the leaves between a pair of clamping bars.

The object of the invention is to provide improved means of a vsimple character for disconnectibly securing the thongs to one of the clamping bars.

The invention comprises the employment in conjunction with a clamping bar adjacent lo a thong aperture, of a rotatable or slidable gripping piece which when brought into action produces an abrupt bend in the thong and causes it to be tightly gripped between the gripping piece and the clamping bar.

In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a loose leaf book fitted with thong securing means in accordance with this invention.

Figures 2-4 illustrate to a larger scale than Figure l the details of the thong securing device, Figure 2 being a cross section showing the thong released, and Figures 3 and 4 a cross section and plan respectively showing the thong secured.

Figures 5, 6, and 7 are views corresponding to Figures 2-4 showing an alternative construction-of my thong securing device.

Referring to Figures 1-4, each clamping bar a, b, is formed by folding or doubling a metal strip on itself, the material of the cover c or d with which the bar is used being gripped between the portions of the clamping bar.

The thongs e are made from strips or tapes of any convenient flexible material such as leather or fabric. Ordinarily two such thongs are used, and one pair of ends are liXedly secured to the clamping bara. The other bar b is formed with a pair of slots f through which the thongs can freely pass, and the folded edge g of the bar is shaped to serve as a cylindrical socket to l receive the gripping pieces; The portion of the folded edge .adjacent toeach slotis cut away to provide a gap h in which the gripping pieceV can operate. i

Lach 'gripping piece consists of a wirel stem c' rotatable inthe aforesaid socket of the clamping bar and cranked or otherwise shaped to forma cam j at the part which crosses the gap L in the bar. The outer` end of the stem is bentover to serve as a linger piece 7o. Each thong is inserted throughfav thong slot fin the clamping bar, and is passed under the gripping piece as shown in Figures 1 and 2. To secure the thongit isfirst tightened by a pull onfits outer'e'nd. The gripping piece is thenrotated so that the crankedv or cam Vlike portion j of the gripping piece advances towards the adjacent edge of the clamping bar and causes the thong to be tightly gripped, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this action the short portion of the thong between the Vthong slot inthe clamping bar and the gripping device receives an abrupt bend which results in a very secure binding action. The thong is released by a reverse movement of the gripping device.

In the alternative gripping device shown in Figures 5-7 the stem e' is slidably mounted in the folded edge or socket g of the clamping bar, and in the portion of the stem crossing the gap la, in the bar a bow or bend Z is formed to provide a gap through which the thong can freely pass. This portion of the stem may also serve as a finger piece. The element la shown'in Figures 1-4 is then not required. To grip the thong the stem'is moved endwise bringing a straight portion across the thong as shown in Figures 6-7.v

Thethong is then gripped between the stem and the adjacent edge of the clamping bar, and, as above described, an abrupt bend is yalso produced in the thong. To release the thong the stem is moved in the opposite direction to bring the bowed portion Z opposite the thong as shown in Figure 5, and by dotted lines in Figure 7.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Leti ters Patent is:-

1. In loose leaf books or binders ofl the type specified, a thong, thong securing means comprising a clamping bar provided with a slot through which the thong extends, and a gripping piece permanently spacedy from said slot and adapted to cooperate with the adjacent edgeof the clamping bar for abruptly bending said thong and pinching the latter betweenk the gripping piece and 'said edge.

2. In loose leaf books or binders of the type specified, thong securing means coinprising a clamping bar formed With a slot and an edge gap at adjacent positions, and a gripping piece carried on the bar and located across the said edge gap, the gripping piece being adapted to cooperate with the adjacent edge of the bar forming one side of the gap for producing an abrupt bend in and gripping the thong, substantially as described. l

3. In loose leaf books or binders ofthe type specified, thong securing means comprising a clamping bar formed with a slot andan edge, gap at adjacent positions, a

' socket at one edge of the bar, and a gripping vpiece carried by the socket and arranged across the said edge gap, the gripping piece being adapted to co-operate with the adjacent edge of the bar forming one side of the gap for producing an abrupt bend in and securing the thong, substantially as described.

4. In loose leaf books or binders of the type specified, the combination comprising a clamping bar consisting of a pair of integral parts and having a folded edge, a cover secured along one edge between the said parts, thong slots and edge gaps in the ba-r, and gripping pieces carried by the folded edge of 'the bar and arranged across of the clamping bar and extendingv across f said clamping edge, and la clamping piece arranged adjacent said clamping edge adapted to abruptly bend said thong at the point Where the clamping edge is located and to pinch the thong between said clamping edge and the clamping piece.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication.

WALTER REGINALD HORSFIELD. 

